Russell Elementary School

All 3 of my children has attended RES. The school itself could use a makeover. It is an old school. I have volunteered a great deal at RES and I know the staff quite well. I appreciate a lot of the teachers and admistrators. It is always a couple of bad apples out the bunch, but all in all, I am satsified. Unfortunately my K will be attending Hilltop next year, it's bitter sweet, because the staff at RES has went out of their way to accomodate my children. I hear awesome things about Hilltop, but we are going to miss RES.
—Submitted by a parent

my daughter is going at this school since she initiate and she is very happy, the teachers have been excellent, my daughter is present at the 2nd grade and reads as a child of 5to grade, I like his progress and the cleanliness of the school area.
—Submitted by a parent

Sad Special Education and Gifted Program. I really was disappointed to find the special education was not according to state guidelines and Gifted should not be part time. Other states have it full time. All Georgia schools need to step up cause when you the children they really have to catch up. The state is rated close the the bottom in the nation. :(
—Submitted by a parent

Our kid goes to Russell since he was in Kindergerten. Now he is in 5th grade. Principal Mr. Lauritsen, Assistant Principal Mrs. Hall and all class Teachers my son had are wonderful. They love their students so much. They spent time more than we could do for my son. They think about my son more than we do as parents. My son also loves them very much. I am also an educator in a University and we teach adult kids which is much easier than Elementary kids. I give this school HIGH FIVE. THANKS to all Teachers and Staffs for the great jobs you are doing for your students and for the society.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attended Russell for two years and they loved it. I loved it. The staff listens to parents concerns. No school is perfect and I'm sure there are some staff that are buttholes, but it is as close to perfect. Unfortunately, we had to move last year due to circumstances beyond our control. They now attend QRE. It it an ok school. But my kids are not happy. My son is sick he can't spend his 5th grade year at Russell. Next fall I plan to return, so my 4 year old can attend.
—Submitted by a parent

Russell Elementary is a better school than some in Houston County. They have a top notch first grade staff and slowly deteriorates from there. I believe that the curriculum is way too slow and the FOCUS classes have deminished over the last year only hurting the children and the test scores. The staff that controls the lunch room yell and punish the whole group vs. using skills to control the situation. I hope that Russell will rise above the status quo and begin pressuring the children to learn more in the future to help them not go to the bottom of the list.
—Submitted by a parent

Russell Elementary is a great school. My children have been there for two years. My children have been to three different elementary schools and this by far is the best one. Of course I had a few issues, but the staff and the administrators were very attentive and took my concerns seriously. I refuse to move if I had to leave this school district.
—Submitted by a parent

I, too, have had issues at Russell. Mr. Lauritsen seems to have the kids' best interest at heart. Unfortunately, I have seen what the previous parent wrote about. Yelling at students is common at Russell. My child's teacher is one who yells quite a bit. She yells more than she actually teaches. It is a shame that some teachers are more concerned with themselves rather than the education of those who are sitting in the classroom. With this being said, there are also teachers at Russell who are very caring. Unfortunately, a few bad apples truly do spoil the whole bunch!
—Submitted by a parent

I usually don't write about things like this but I see a few 'fabulous' comments so I have to chime in. This school is anything but fabulous. I can't speak to the quality of teachers so much but the discipline and safety are scary. As soon as I can afford it, my child will be going to a private school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to say that the 'yelling' I see another parent writing about is absolutely true. This has to stop.
—Submitted by a parent

Oh my! Where do I begin? This school is fabulous! I have 2 sons attending, and 1 beginning Pre-K in the fall. This is the most family-like group of teachers and administration I have ever seen. There is a genuine concern for the well-being of every student. Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Howell are wonderful and give so much loving attention to my boys. This is the benchmark school that others should take lessons from. My boys are brilliant, and the teachers constantly challenge them to do more. I am blessed to have my children in this school. They previously attended QRE, and I was very dissappointed with the principals there, although I had a couple of the best teachers. Now, if only I could persuade them to come to Russell! This school is a pleaser!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year at Russell and our experience has been wonderful. The teachers are great and really care about the kids. Parents are involved and there is a great sense of family. I am proud to send my children to Russell.
—Submitted by a parent

My Children have attended 3 schools in three years and Russell has been the best by far. The Staff and Teachers are personable and they TRULY care about my childs safety and constantly work on improving the school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Russell Elementary and we have been very pleased. I have a 5th grader and a 2nd grader. Both have been challenged and have been under the guidance of kind and loving teachers. The principal knows most of the kids by name and is frequently found playing outside at recess. There is a family atmosphere and parents are always welcome to be at the school. The school has a good discipline policy and I feel my kids are both safe at school.
—Submitted by a parent

Russell Elementary is a school I'm proud to send my daughter to. She has had great difficulty, but the teachers have been very involved and supportive. I'm happy to report thanks to the effort the shcool has put forth and their excellent communication with me my daughter is now doing much better and is looking forward to a bright academic career and better self esteem.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very disappointed with the pre-k program. My husband and I took our child out the week before school ended. The children were yelled at and not treated as four year olds. They were too hard on the children. Several parents had problems. Hopefully since last years principal is no longer there things will change with the way the teachers treat the children. I haven't heard good things about the kindergarden program either. Stay away from the pre-k program.
—Submitted by a parent